SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5671

               As Passed Senate, March 11, 1999

Title:  An act relating to anarchy and sabotage.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to anarchy and sabotage.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Fairley, Johnson and Thibaudeau).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  2/12/99, 2/17/99 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/11/99, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5671 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Heavey, Chair; Kline, Vice Chair; Costa, Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786-7484)

Background:  The anarchy and sabotage statute that is current law in Washington was passed in the early years of this century.

Concern exists that many of the provisions of this statute might not pass constitutional muster if challenged.

Summary of Bill:  The anarchy and sabotage statute is repealed and the criminal trespass statute is amended by creating the new crime of aggravated criminal trespass, which is a class C felony.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Unlike the other crimes in the anarchy and sabotage statute, the crime of sabotage has been charged sporadically over the years.  A new crime of aggravated criminal trespass is recommended to replace the repealed sections.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Tom McBride, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The amendment repeals all but two sections of the anarchy and sabotage statutes.  Those two sections are amended to define the crimes of assembling to commit criminal sabotage and committing criminal sabotage.  The crime of aggravated criminal trespass is stricken.